An Afghan man walks using crutches in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, March 9. Insurgents killed more Afghan civilians last year than ever before and their roadside bombs, suicide attacks and assassinations were responsible for the overwhelming majority of conflict-related deaths in 2010, the United Nations said Wednesday.

The number of civilians killed as a result of fighting in this war-torn nation rose by 15 percent in 2010 as compared with 2009, according to the report, which comes after a coalition air strike killed nine boys in Kunar province, sparking several demonstrations in Kabul.

Despite the growing outrage over NATO-caused civilian deaths, however, the UNAMA report shows that the number of civilian deaths caused by Afghan and international forces dropped by 26 percent last year. Of the total 2,777 civilian deaths in 2010, Afghan and international forces were responsible for only 16 percent. Meanwhile, insurgent attacks accounted for 75 percent of civilian deaths, a 28 percent increase.

The report underscores the difficulties that face international forces. Even when their efforts to minimize civilian casualties are successful, it only takes a couple of high profile incidents to negatively turn public opinion. Meanwhile, as insurgent-caused casualties mount, the Taliban and other antigovernment groups may face an image crisis similar to NATO-led forces.